Sell Us Your Item
For a $4.53 Gift Card
Trade in
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Color:
Image not available

To view this video download Flash Player

 

Cocolat: Extraordinary Chocolate Desserts [Hardcover]

Alice Medrich , Patricia Brabant
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


Image
Save on Popular Books This Summer
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more.

Book Description

October 1990
For the millions of chocolate lovers everywhere, here is a stunning dessert cookbook complete with lavish, mouth-watering, full-color photographs, from the respected gourmet known to her peers as "Madam Cocolat."


Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Beautiful desserts from Medrich's California pastry shops, which have gained a national reputation for their chocolate creations. Her famous truffles are here, along with elaborate cakes, tortes, and even a few nonchocolate desserts. Many of them are based on classic French pastries, but novice bakers will find the author's production tips and clear instructions valuable, and professionals may pick up a few useful shortcuts along with ideas for eye-catching presentations. Expensive, but recommended for most pastry collections.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 204 pages
  • Publisher: Warner Books; 1st edition (October 1990)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0446514195
  • ISBN-13: 978-0446514194
  • Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 10 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #429,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
(25)
4.9 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
68 of 69 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Cocolat should be on every baker's bookshelf. October 20, 2001
By C.S.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is an absolute MUST HAVE for anyone who loves desserts and loves to bake. As a former pastry chef myself, I have well over 200 cookbooks, and this is one of the most well-written, best-tested baking books I own. As a matter of fact, I can only say that about 2 other books I have. I have made about 90% of the desserts in this book, and they have all turned out exactly like Chef Medrich describes and look exactly like the photos. How many baking books can you say that about? I can't begin to count the number of people that I have recommended this book to.

If you buy Cocolat for no other reason you should buy it for the "Building Blocks" in the back. If you have that section and follow her directions exactly, you will be able to create an endless number of incredible desserts. Chef Medrich's genoise formula, for example, is the most reliable formula for genoise I've ever used. That is a staple in my kitchen, along with her formula and method for french buttercream. And frankly, her formula for Chocolate Velvet Mousse is worth the price of the book all on its own. I use it for everything; filling for every type of cake, mixed with whipped cream for fillings for cream puffs, layered with sponge cake for chocolate trifle; I could go on and on. In my opinion, it's the finest chocolate mousse both in texture and flavor that I've ever eaten.

Marcel Desaulnier markets himself as the King of Chocolate, but he can't even begin to compare with Alice Medrich, who is in a class all by herself.

Chef Medrich, if you read this, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! You and Emily Luchetti are my baking mentors; you are a great chef and teacher.

Was this review helpful to you?
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
If you love things chocolate and like to make them, then this is the book you have been waiting for. Personally, my obsession is truffles. I have been searching for years for a domestic equivalent to the bittersweet truffles I used to buy at chocolatiers in Paris, but to no avail. Everything I could get in SoCal was either too sweet, too old, or not chocolatey.

Not so here. These recipes produce truffles just like the ones I remember from France: a grown-up treat, not the over-sweetened, over-flavored, dried-up disappointments we have imported or made here. I have only tried the recipes for truffles, but I plan to work my way through the rest of the book, recipe by recipe, the cakes and pastries too. Truffles are so easy to make! Excellent technical information on the handling of chocolate from a writer who is obviously sharing her inside tips. Do what Alice Medrich says, and you can't go wrong. Good mail order sources, copious (and luscious) photos and illustrations. Also, an inspiring and colorful story of someone with an idea who just couldn't let go of it no matter what. In an oversize format, the book itself is a pleasure in the hand and a literal feast for the eye. I plan to give it to friends for Xmas

Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it -- now! June 5, 2000
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Wonderful book. I have tried about 11 of the recipes and all but one was beyond excellent. I have made stunning desserts that have more than impressed everyone. My one and only caution is that most of the main recipes in the book contain liqueurs. I don't find this a problem, but many people do. Even if you don't care for those types of recipes, still, buy the book. The back of the book lists "building blocks", everything from sponge cake recipes, mousse, fillings, glazes, etc. so that you can fabricate your own designer desserts.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for chocolate lovers
I have tried several recipes in here. It requires many steps, but it is failure proof as long if you follow it closely. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Lynn
5.0 out of 5 stars coco cookbook
The Cocolat Extraordinary Chocolate Desserts is an excellent hard to find cookbook; some of the recipes are a little difficult but there are many manageable, unique and delicious... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Helen Keller
5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Dessert Book
I was introduced to Medrich's recipes when I lived in the Berkeley hills. When I felt rich (something graduate students rarely are), I treated myself to a truffle from her Cocolat... Read more
Published on April 25, 2011 by my muses
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing dessert cookbook!
This is the book I use every time when I need a show-stopping dessert. The book has it all: great recipes, clear easy-to-follow instructions, stunning presentations, fabulous... Read more
Published on May 10, 2010 by Garin Gulu
5.0 out of 5 stars My Chocolate Bible
My favorite chocolate cookbook, from the gorgeous photos to the easy-to-follow directions. I've made many desserts from this cookbook, and all have received rave reviews. Read more
Published on December 15, 2009 by L. Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Cookbook!
This is one of the premier chocolate dessert cookbooks of all time and it is very disappointing it is out of print. Read more
Published on December 12, 2008 by George A. Schmid
5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have
I bought this cookbook when it first came out and the recipes are fabulous. This book meets my criteria for a great cookbook- it has recipes that turn out superbly - with the bonus... Read more
Published on July 4, 2008 by Blythe Spirit
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for a show stopper dessert
I received this book as a gift a few years ago, cunningly presented to me by someone who has delighted in the results. It is still my favorite desert book. Read more
Published on June 14, 2007 by Wayne
5.0 out of 5 stars So worth the buy even at higher price
I was one of the people who had to buy this book at higher price due to it's out of print. But it's still so worth it. Read more
Published on March 28, 2007 by Darkeyes
5.0 out of 5 stars Oh, Alice Medrich!!!!
I have all her books. One is better than the next. This is her top one. Her best one. Her creme de la creme.
Published on January 9, 2007 by Gabi Perez
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews




What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Forums

There are no discussions about this product yet.
Be the first to discuss this product with the community.
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 



So You'd Like to...


Create a guide


Look for Similar Items by Category